This summer we have launched our inaugural Summer Wellbeing Challenge. If you haven't seen it, or joined in yet, it's not too late. Go to our website, or our social media channels, to join in the fun and to promote your Wellbeing whilst the sun shines!

So far, we have just completed week one, 'Connect' where we have been encouraging our participants to send a postcard, give someone a hug, introduce friends who don't know each other, or have a bring 'n' share lunch, amongst many other possibilities.

This week is 'Be Active' and I have certainly taken this to heart by joining a local Yoga class. Those who know me have probably just fallen from their stools, but I have to say, I loved the first class and can't wait until Thursday for the next one. I think it may take quite a while to get to grips with it, or indeed until I can touch my toes without grimacing, but already I feel my Wellbeing increased by connecting, being active and learning something new.

Next week is 'Take Notice' week. Have a look at the suggestions on our website, or make up your own and let us know what you are up to. I think I may well take the dog for a walk on a new route each day, lucky pup!

Please do contact us if you have been joining in the Summer Wellbeing Challenge as we'd love to hear if it has been working for you and how we may progress it next year. #summerwellbeing

In other news, our Chair of Trustees, Karl Bevis, has decided to step down after the sterling work he has undertaken as both a trustee and subsequently, Chair. We will have a proper good-bye nearer the time, but we wanted to thank him for all of his advice, humour and commitment over the last few years. We are now actively searching for a new Chair, so if you feel you may be the right person, or know someone who is, please do get in touch with us. The organisation has some very exciting plans afoot, so now is a great time to be involved.

With the sun at last shining, the Olympics underway and the start of the Football and Rugby seasons fast approaching, I am naturally, in seventh heaven. You may even see the occasional sun salutation taking place through my office window in Radstock!

Enjoy the rest of the summer and don't forget the Summer Wellbeing Challenge.

Olly

(Director, Creativity Works)

Opportunity:

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Creativity Works

We are looking to recruit a Chair of Trustees who will demonstrate the passion and commitment to progress the high quality work that Creativity Works is renowned for. You will have the strategic leadership skills and authority that is required for this small but dynamic, and high-achieving, organisation to flourish.

Creativity Works is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, supporting and developing artists who work in the field of socially engaged arts. We also deliver creative projects within Health and Wellbeing, including a highly successful commission from B&NES, the Mental Health Creative Support Service.

We are currently in a period of transition, building on our success as we look to secure a sustainable and expansive future. This entails the re-imagining of co|Create, our artists support programme, scoping the opportunities that the new Your Care Your Way commission may bring, expanding the delivery of our services to include young people and families and planning the redevelopment of a high-profile building. We will also be looking to maintain our NPO status beyond 2018 and to secure the funding and profile necessary to achieve our ambitious plans.

For the full Job Description please Click
HERE (this will download a PDF document)

If you are interested in this role, please send a CV and cover letter illustrating your suitability to our Director, Oliver Jones
oliver@creativityworks.org.uk

If you require more details or would like to chat about the role, please do email Oliver to arrange a convenient time to talk with him or one of our current trustees.

Closing Date for applications: Mon 12th Sept 9am

Interview Date: Week of 19th September exact date tbc

We hope the successful candidate will be able to attend the CW staff and trustee away day in Week of 26th Sept exact date tbc, however this is subject to availability and by no means essential. The Chair will officially take over at our AGM at the end of November 2016.

To take part all you have to do is try some of the ideas - feel free to come up with your own, and share you experiences with us. We'd love as many people as possible to take part - so why not join with a friend? Or with your family? Or how about with work colleagues?

The Golden Key Project

Case Study detailing IF group members and our artists thoughts

The Golden Key is an eight-year programme funded to the tune of £10 million by the Big Lottery Fund, aiming to change the way services respond to people with complex and multiple needs. Second Step, the Bristol-based organisation leading the project, has commissioned Creativity Worksover the past two years, to collaborate with their Independent Futures Group (IF) the lived experience advisory group who work with Golden Key.

Creativity Works' activity has been delivered by Davis & Jones who recently facilitated the content and design of their business plan website. This fascinating case study, details the experience of IF Group members and the thoughts of our artists.

I first learnt of Creativity Works when involved with the Golden Key programme based in Bristol. Creativity Works were involved in developing an arts strategy for the programme and also in commissioning work for the innovative visual interpretation of the business plan for the IF (Independent Futures) Group within the programme.

What made you want to work with this organisation?

I have long believed that creativity is an important factor in people's lives and that it contributes so much to wellbeing. From my experience working in museums and galleries I have seen how culture and arts projects can bring communities together and develop individuals. Creativity Works has proven itself able to make real and lasting changes to the lives of both groups and individuals. It is great to feel I can support the work of such an organisation.

Which projects have you been involved with / how have you helped support Creativity Works?

In recent months I have been researching various funding routes to provide the means of delivering the organisation's ambitious business plan. There are also a range of possibilities using artists and the creative process to deliver commissioned health and wellbeing services. I have attended commissioning events, considering our partnerships, both new and existing, reviewing how we can create innovative models of delivery. There is great pressure on budgets to provide for increasing demand so innovation is key in responding to this.

What have you enjoyed the most about working with Creativity Works?

I have enjoyed meeting and working in a new team of staff and volunteers and seeing the success they have had to date. I was very impressed with the artwork created for the Fresh Art project and discovering the breath of potential there is for future work and commissions.

What have you found surprising about Creativity Works?

I have been surprised at the number of people who have heard of the organisation when I attend events and the number of times the work of the organisation has cropped up in official case studies or documents concerning social prescribing for mental health and wellbeing.

In what way has Creativity Works been of value or support to you?

I value the opportunity I have had to learn more about mental health issues. As a society with increasing pressures, we need to understand the importance of looking after our mental health and how to recognise when others need our support or understanding.

What has been your biggest professional, personal or creative achievement to date?

To have kept going and to continue to learn and create new ideas and solutions to problems. I have had the good fortune to have been involved in many exciting regeneration, arts and cultural programmes and projects right across the south west from Cornwall to Gloucestershire and Dorset. My role has always been to make the changes to existing methods of doing things and to think through solutions that are preventing things from happening. So sometimes having dogged determination (or perhaps it is plain old stubbornness!) can pay off in the end!

In my personal life I always consider the importance of family and the way your life with family members develops over the years.

On the whole I think it is very typical not to stop and take time to consider your achievements - you are always aiming for the next goal. Perhaps we should reflect more and acknowledge our work and achievements along the way.

Do you have any creative aspirations for the future (with or without Creativity Works)?

I use creativity in both my working and personal life - whether improving the garden or arranging things in the home. I would like to get back to creating visual art which I used to do but I have rather lost the skill. It would be great to master a musical instrument such as the piano or guitar!

Useful Websites & Articles

Interesting links for the Summer Wellbeing Challenge. Please do share with us any sites, articles and films you also find useful and inspiring.

For more information please contact our Director, Oliver Jones (oliver@creativityworks.org.uk). If you would like to apply for a position as a Trustee, please send Oliver your CV and written application. Consideration of applications will be ongoing.

Please feel free to spread the word - you can download the advert here.

Join us on Instagram

Creativity Works are now on Instagram and we'd love to see you there too!

Follow us @creativityworksUK.

You can also follow us on a desktop if you don't have the app on your phone. Us this link :
CreativityworksUK

Thank you for reading our newsletter. If you would like to follow our updates in between newsletters remember that you can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest!